America’s Boating Course

3 rd Edition

Communications Afloat

Chapter 3 Section 12

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Communications Types

Distress • Emergency calls • Safety communication Working • Port communications • Ship-to-ship communications

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Radio vs Telephone

Cell phone • May be used to contact local law authority • Value at sea is limited • Coast guard can not find position • Transmission power of only 3 watts • Other boater in vicinity will not hear you 3

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What is Marine VHF Radio?

Primary Radio for Coastal and Inland Boaters • NOAA Weather Forecasts • Summon Assistance • Communication - other boaters, shore facilities • Up to 25 watts of power

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Channel Allocation

VHF radio is not required • Highly recommended for safety If radio is turned on – MUST monitor • Channel 16 – distress • Channel 9 – calling channel Working channels • 68, 69, 71, 72, 78

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Radio Range

Line of Sight • 25 NM (typical maximum range) Actual Range based on: • Height of antenna(s) • Transmitted power

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Equipment – Fixed Mount

Separate Antenna – higher 25 Watts (Transmit Power – high) 1 Watt (Transmit Power – low) All new models equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

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Fixed Mount VHF Radios

Courtesy of ICOM One Button Distress (DSC Function) Microphone with Transmit Button Channel Selection Up/Down Channel 16/9 Button Button to Select Weather Channels High/Low Power Switch Squelch

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On/Off Volume 8

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Equipment -- Handheld

Integrated Antenna (Rubber Ducky) Lower height - less range Lower Transmit Power – less range 5-6 Watts –High Transmit Power • 1 watt -- Low Transmit Power

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Handheld VHF Radio

Antenna On/Off Volume Speaker/Microphone Weather/ Radio Squelch Control Channel Selection Up/Down Channel 16/9 Instant Select Power High/Low Key Scan

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Licenses -- Recreational

None Required If … • Operating in U.S. Waters • Boat LOA < 20 Meters (65 Feet) Required If … • Travel to Foreign Ports (Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Etc) • Communicate With Foreign Stations

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Licenses -- Types

Obtained from the FCC Station License for Boat (radio) Restricted Radio Operator's Permit • Required for each operator

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Operating Procedures

Where Used: • Only on boats • Land operation requires special license Limited to Essential Communications: • Summon assistance • Safety purposes • Needs of the vessel

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Channel Allocation

VHF Channels

06 09 13 16 22A 68, 69, 71, 72, 78 WX1, WX2, … WX9 Ship to Ship Safety

Purpose

Alternate Calling Channel – some areas Navigation Safety – ship to ship, locks, bridges Calling, Emergency, Distress Use only when directed by Coast Guard Working Channels for Recreational Boats Weather (receive only)

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Digital Selective Calling

Channel 70 – digital Signals other radios Sends position via GPS Radio registered to owner MMSI number part of call

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Routine DSC Calls

DSC not just for Emergencies • Routine calls to a specific vessel (MMSI) • Routine calls to a shore facility (MMSI) • Group Calls (based on pre-defined MMSI) You pre-select working channel • Other radios auto switch to that channel for voice Audio Signal • Sounds only on selected recipients’ radios 16

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Digital Selective Calling

Why Is DSC Important To Me ?

SOLAS Vessels No Longer Required to Monitor Ch 16 • May miss your voice distress call USCG Rescue 21 Program • Modernization of USCG Coastal Com Facilities • Fully Operational by 2011 • All 655 USCG Vessels with VHF/DSC by 2007 • Takes the "Search" out of Search and Rescue 17

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Rescue 21

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WAIT Animated >>

DSC Distress Calls

Emergency Only Press & hold red button Sounds alarm on DSC radios Response switches to Channel 16 Can enter type of distress code

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Language

Use appropriate ‘radio’ terms Skipper responsible for radio Criminal offense: profane or indecent language Felony: false distress calls Don’t allow children to play with radio

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THIS IS

Procedure Words (1)

Preface to your call sign ROGER OVER OUT Last transmission received OK I’m done, you can (talk) answer I’m done, Goodbye WILCO ROGER and I will comply Tips: • Always end transmission with OVER or OUT - NOT BOTH • Do not use “Roger Wilco” instead of “Wilco”  “Wilco” means “Last transmission received OK and I will comply”

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Procedure Words (2)

WAIT SAY AGAIN CORRECTION AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE I will be back in a few seconds Say that again Oops! I really meant to say Yes No

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Emergency Calls

Mayday Pan-pan Securité Responding to emergency call

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Mayday

For assistance with life and property

immediate danger

to Examples: • Life-threatening medical • Person lost overboard • Boat sinking • Boat on fire

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Location

Mayday Info

Nature of distress Description of boat Number of persons aboard (injured) Seaworthiness of boat

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Mayday Call

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY THIS IS SAILBOAT WINDSONG, WINDSONG, GUARD STATION CORTEZ. WHAT’S THE NATURE OF YOUR DISTRESS AND YOU POSITION. OVER.

EGMONT KEY - COMPASS BEARING 120. SLOWLY

Loud

SINKING. ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME ONE HOUR.

Audio to

FOUR PERSONS ABOARD, ONE INJURED,

Follow

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Pan-Pan (pahn-pahn)

For assistance when danger does not rise to

“MAYDAY” level

Examples: • Out of fuel • Lost in a fog • Unable to control or operate vessel 27

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Securité (say-cure-it-tay)

For navigation safety messages Examples: • To report a navigational hazard (sunken object) • Operational signals (backing out of a slip) • Weather Alerts 28

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Responding

Do not transmit on a channel in use Maintain silence on channel until clear If in a position to help - call the vessel in distress - what you can provide Inform the USCG of your actions 29

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Routine Calls

Information or logistics Listen before talking Use lowest power Calling channel Working channel Keep calls short

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Radio Check To verify radio works Use calling or working channel Limit use

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NOAA Channels

Broadcast weather reports Includes marine specific data Channel depends on location

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Offshore

High-frequency single sideband • Channels for marine use • Requires license Satellite • Similar to cell phone

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EPIRBs

Can transmit ID & homing signal May be water activated Primarily for off shore use

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LAST

End Chapter 3

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END